Shelena - Day 8 Final slog!

18:59.88N 64:52.05W12th NovemberEver since we caught our mahi-mahi yesterday just before sunset the wind haspicked up and is from the east. We have reached latitudes sufficiently farsouth to meet the trade winds that blow pretty much from Africa in the eastacross the Atlantic to the Caribbean. That is fine save that our destinationis on a bearing of about 160 degrees. Without getting technical the upshotis that we are ona close haul. Opinions differ on whether this is good orbad. For Petri and me that means yacht listing 15 plus degrees.Exhilarating! To Helen; oh no, this is where the nightmare begins. It ishard to stand or do anything. Like everything the angle of tilt can begreater for tighter course into the wind and if there is plenty of sail outtilt can be 30 degrees. Somewhere. read more...

Shelena - Day 7 The best things in life are free!

21:40.15N 66:11.26W11 November, 2016Getting close to destination Tortola now. Approximately 225 Nm left so withour daily distance around 180 Nm per 24 hours it is arrival in the wee hoursof Sunday morning. Helen is looking forward to that and Petri has booked hisflight home to Finland on Sunday afternoon.So we had better not be late.Today has, as always, been interesting and reminds me why I love sailing.There is little certainty about where you will get to, or how the weatherwill behave. I was fortunate enough to sleep late this morning after severalnights of onlya few hours sleep. In bed at 0330 I was only just up in timefor the SSB chat at 1030. We are still eager to catch fish for dinner and soI duly mentioned this . I was told that there is an old saying that with awoman aboard. read more...

Shelena - Day 6 Awoke on the floor again!

24:13.69N 066:40.05W10th Nov, 2016We had a day of motor sailing yesterdayand so I tucked in for shut eye atabout 0330 early this morning. I rather fancied a lie-in but it was not tobe. I awoke on the cabin floor because on retiring on engine last night,Shelena was flat. When the engine was switched on in the morning the windwas from the SW. This means close haul which means tilt to port which is myside of our bed. It follows that I was literally tipped out of bed at 0730.Once awake the day begins. Today we had a nice easy sail with winds about 15 knots all day. The closehaul became a close reach that became a reach that progressed to broadreach. These changes to point of sail were caused by change in winddirection, not by chane in navigation course. A comfortable day indeed asthe sea. read more...

Shelena - Day 6 Buoy over board!

26:38.04N 067:54.69WThursday 10th November, 2016We motor sailed all yesterday and through the night. Getting a bit bored atthe engine humming away. However, the wind is just 5knots or so. Too little.It certainly underscores the need for extra provisions and water beyondestimated needs for estimated passage making times. All calculations basedon x knots per day have no credibility when the wind simply stops blowingand the sea takes on an oily texture. Reflect for a moment on sailorscenturies ago seeking out new lands not knowing where they were. Thenbecalmed for days! Thank goodness for modern cruiser engines that are veryeconomical and provide excellent range.I wanted to continue with the theme of life aboard. Not mentioned to dateare our means of communication with the outside world.. read more...

Shelena - Sailing is fun because it is so unpredictable!

28:06.44N 068:59.21WDay 5We have passed half way now. ETA Nanny Cays on Sunday.Life aboard is now pretty routine. The structure is breakfast where we allhelp ourselves. Petri ends his watch around 0800 then off to sleep. LikelyHelen does some day time morning watch while I am asleep too. I now varywhere I sleep. Last night the seas were less confused and I returned to mycabin just to find that my wife has abandoned it too, and has taken up tosleeping in the saloon on the comfortable starboard sofa which is nicelyprotected by the table and secure not subject to aft corkscrewing.Basically, I sleep where I fall! I would like to see the World CruisingAssoc run a competition to find out more about where persons sleep aboard. Ithink it would yield surprising creativity. I have heard sleep. read more...